The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-08

oolulOlo, JuSeiy cuultlluS tuoIu w ldNOI
able recognition from the government
and the gratitude of the people fol
their efforts in behalf of the life of the
nation.
Much has been said and written In
regard to General Logan as public
speaker before such an audience as
assembled on this occasion. He held
them breathless with attention, many
standing in the hot sun for nearly two
hours. AS speaker to whom we lis
tened for the first time, we followed
him with close attention. There was
a frankness and directness about his
address that carried conviction. It
was earnest, logical and persuasive; en-
bracing very little of what might be
called "oratory," in the technical
sense of that term, but, considering the
audience and the subject, nothing
could have been more effective. 1t was
plain, direct, and manly, and, barring
some extreme views touching the pol
icy of pensioning soldiers, and few
partisan "hits" at the administration,
it was a speech that would have been
received with favor by any patriotic
American audience.
In the evening few friends, myself
included, were invited to meet the
General at the residence of A. II. Trego,
of our church at Hoopeston. AS the
reader may imagine, this was privi-
lege which we esteemed very highly at
the time, and now that General Logan
is no more of earth, it is more highly
appreciated than ever. In this social
interview, Logan appeared at his best.
He conversed very freely of men, party
measures, the present administration,
and the outlook of the country from
his political standpoint. One thing
that struck me, was the generous and
kindly manner in which he spoke of
many of his political opponents. said
to him humorously, General, you seem
to have left the impression, from some
things that you have said to-day, that
you are a Republican" referring to
some of the criticisms that had gone
out from those of the opposite camp in
politics. 81 am glad," he said in reply,
"that that impression was made. 1
rather intended that it should ~ But
his conversation during the evening
was not at all of partisan nature, and
in this respect created a more favora-
Bile impression. While evidently man
of the most positive convictions, with
strong likes and dislikes, on occasions
like this, Logan showed himself a
true gentleman, and one who could
respect the convictions of others when
honestly entertained. He appeared to
be, what indeed we know he was, a
man utterly destitute of deceit or hy-
pocrisy, and as honest and above-board
in all his views and opinions.
The pictures Of General Logan do
not do him justice. He was much
finer looking man than they indicate.
There was nothing of the rugged and
shaggy look about the man that is
in the portraits on every
hand. His noble form, dark complex
ion, coal-black hair, slightly tinged
with gray, and wonderfully bright, ex-
pressive eyes, which especially kindled
while talking, all conspired to make up
a commanding presence. His manners,
Notwithstanding his popular character
istics as blunt and aggressive speaker
on the stump or the rostrum, were
gentle and easy; and no one meeting
him in such circle of friends would
associate him with the dashing quail
ties that distinguished him as soldier
and gave him reputation in political
circles.
Several times during the evening
Logan spoke with great freedom of the
generals of the war, and was gener-
Gus in his estimate of their abilities
and just in recognition of their fighting
qualities. Lately, something has been
said in regard to the relations between
Logan and Grant. 1t is pleasant to
remember now, that on this occasion
Logan spoke of Grant with great ten
derness, and appreciation of his ability
as a general. My recollection is, that
he commended very highly, not only
Grants military, but his civil admin
istration. There is no evidence that
Grant cherished other than the high
est regard for General Logan after
he came to know him as man, a sol
dier and a politician; and certainly on
this occasion, no one could speak more
reverently and even tenderly of COM
rade in arms, than did Logan of Grant.
We also remember that the home life
of General Logan, which is now made a
part of the review of his history and is
SO beautifully dwelt upon in the notices
of his career, received at this time an
unobtrusive, yet tender recognition.
Once or twice reference was made to
Mrs. Logan and their home at Wash
ington, and the few words which the
general uttered are evidence that what
has been written on this subject since
his death, is no exaggeration of the